Constitutional Environmental Law: Giving Force to Fundamental Principles in Africa

Author
Carl Bruch, Environmental Law Institute
Date Released
May 2000

This research report explores how African constitutional provisions can be utilized to create real, enforceable environmental rights. African countries do have different legal traditions, namely, common law, civil law, and Islamic law, as well as some hybrid systems. Nevertheless, these legal systems share many common underlying principles and values, particularly fundamental human rights that are embodied in their respective constitutions.